Sony announces SLT-A58 20MP mid-level DSLR-style camera

Sony has announced the Alpha SLT-A58, a mid-range SLT camera with a newly-developed 20MP sensor. The A58 will replace both the A37 and A57 models, helping to simplify the company's lineup. The A58 builds on the A57's feature set and gains an SVGA (800x600 pixel) OLED viewfinder, rather than its predecessors' LCDs. It gains a new lock-on focus mode and Auto Object Framing mode - an extension of the auto portrait mode in the A57. It will be sold with a redesigned DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II kit lens that offers quieter autofocus. The camera is not being launched in the USA at this point.

For life’s spontaneous moments – catch all the split-second excitement with the new α58 interchangeable lens camera from Sony. With Translucent Mirror technology for speedy shooting with fast, accurate autofocus, it’s the must-have choice for grabbing those once-in-a-lifetime picture opportunities. Even if you’re new to interchangeable lens photography, you’ll enjoy image quality that effortlessly exceeds your point-and-shoot compact camera, plus features you’d expect from a far higher-priced DSLR.

At the heart of the α58 is a brand new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with an extremely high resolution of (approx.) 20.1 effective megapixels. It’s teamed with an improved BIONZ image processing engine for exceptionally detailed, low-noise stills and Full HD video, plus an extra-wide sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 16000.

Pick from the choice of 35 interchangeable A-mount lenses (including two tele-converters) and experience flawless images in virtually any lighting conditions, from dimly-lit interiors to atmospheric twilight scenes. Even if you’re shooting handheld, SteadyShot INSIDE keeps pictures crisp and stable, letting you shoot with confidence at slower shutter speeds or higher zoom settings where wobbles are often a worry.

Unlike ordinary DSLR cameras, SLT cameras by Sony use Translucent Mirror technology that directs light onto the main image sensor as well as a separate autofocus sensor. This means that subjects stay sharply focused at all times as you compose scenes with the tilt-angle LCD or through the high-resolution, high-contrast OLED Tru-Finder. And with no moving mirror to slow you down, you’ll enjoy non-stop live image preview during speedy burst shooting or while you’re recording Full HD video.

The α58 is your ideal partner for grabbing the action as it happens – like sports, wildlife or spur-of-the-moment fun with friends and family. Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode brings that decisive moment closer with a high-speed burst of sharp images at 8 frames per second. The high-performance 15-point AF system now features Lock-on Autofocus with speedier, more accurate subject tracking. So now you can capture the athletic grace of a gymnast or animals in the wild with a burst of crisply-focused images, even if your subject’s moving.

Featured on previous models, Auto Portrait Framing has now evolved into even more versatile Auto Object Framing – helping you get better-looking, more professional results without effort. The α58 judges what’s in the scene – one person, two people, even moving objects or macro subjects – tracking, framing and cropping the shot to create powerful, professionally-framed compositions. Thanks to Pixel Super Resolution Technology by Sony, cropped images preserve the same resolution as the original exposure.

Instantly selectable from the mode dial, Picture Effect lets you pick from a palette of 15 artistic ‘in-camera’ treatments, like Toy Camera, Mono and Partial Colour.

Framing, focusing and viewing your shots is a pleasure through the new OLED Tru-Finder. This bright, high resolution electronic viewfinder accurately shows the results of adjusting camera settings in real time. Instantly see the result of adjusting exposure compensation, aperture, ISO, white balance, Picture Effect and other parameters before you shoot… not after. It’s a great way to compose the perfect shot with confidence.

The α58 is the first-ever A-mount interchangeable lens camera from Sony that offers support for new ‘TRILUMINOS Colour’. You’ll experience a dramatically expanded palette of vivid, ultra-realistic colours when videos and still images are played back on any BRAVIA TV with support for ‘TRILUMINOS Display’.

The new α58 interchangeable lens camera from Sony with Translucent Mirror technology is available from April 2013.

Comments

There's this A58K model with a 18-55 lens and n A58M model with 18-135 lens-i need to know from existing users of Sony SLT cameras with 18-135 lens whether the lens casts a shadow ON THE PHOTO at telephoto end when shooting with flash-guys i loved this model n need your feedback with the lens issue to decide which model package to buy.

With the a37 going for only $300 and the a57 for $500, it's no wonder they haven't released the a58 in North America... dealers are in a selling frenzy unloading the old ones. Good timing to get an a57 for sure.

Could it be that the mirrorless market is so much more than was anticipated, that these are going for so cheap now? And the new FF models being more competitive with this generation, that these are just perceived so much lower end now?

I know in Europe you get PAL at 50 or 25 fps, and in NA you get NTSC rates at 60 / 30, and then also 24 I guess. But that's not what I'm after here.The issue that I'm seeing is that in this European version I'm not seeing 50p. That makes me worry that the North American version will not have 60p. My A57 does 60p which I really like because the video is smooth and I don't end up with jittery video when tracking around the kids around the room. Panning around in 60p is nice and smooth. 30p is not. 24p is absurdly awful.So, what's up with this removal of only-smoothest video rate option?Converting 60i to 60p is possible through a BOB like de-interlacer (and yes, that really does convert to 60p and not to 30p if some are wondering), but it's not perfect.Not having 60p would be a complete shock to me ! ! !

You can not use the camera to studio ( studio flash ) ! It shows dark ! Tragic ! In manual mode shows what you get , but in studio (with speed 160 and apperture 11) you see nothing ! so you can not work ! A solution could be to use the camera flash ( just for preview ) , but you can not make it several times !

I upgraded from Sony a55 to a57 without hesitate, and I like it. This a58 is not an exciting upgrade at all. No GPS, no faster focus, still 15 point focus... I wish Sony could focus on improving 16M sensor and provide clear picture at high iso instead of another "me too" 20M sensor. I hope I'm wrong.

Because the A57 had GPS and better AF than the A55 right? This mightn't be of interest to you, which is fine, but your comment makes no sense. The A57 was as much of an upgrade/downgrade of the A55 as the A58 is an upgrade/downgrade of the A57. There has been a significant price drop on the A58 compared to the A57 bringing it down below the D3200 and at the same price as the 1100D. So while you mightn't be interested in it as an upgrade (and why would you when your A57 is a perfectly good camera), that does not make the A58 a bad camera.

The key feature of STL system is the focus speed and accuracy. This is the most important reason I pick up STL instead of NEX or Cannon or Nikon. It's clear that you can not get it from here. The focus speed decrease from 12 fps to 8 fps in burst mode and the fast continue shooting decrease from 8 fps to 5 fps. If you used it to take pictures of kids and sports, you will see the clear difference.

Another critical thing is the image quality. I bet this 20M sensor in A58 may not improve the high iso performance than the 16M sensor in A57. Just like the A65 provides worse low light performance than A57.

Not mention the degrade of video recording...Not mention the smaller screen...

The only better thing is the viewfinder, which is not a real big thing for lots people. All together you know why Sony drops the price of A58, cause it's not a upgrade from A57, on the opposite, a real minor degrade.

Soon or later, someone will beat $1,000 barrier, why not Sony? I actually prefer SLT design over conventional mirrored fake prism type, but their dull and over-priced lens offering is just unthinkable, unless they would offer full frame for less than $1,000.I just got Nikon's highly touted, some claim to be best optical lens (not in mechanical design) in the world for less than $400, but with Sony, I couldn't even get their crappy ancient 75-300mm zoom lens for less than $400, while Canon or Nikon sells equivalent lens for $100.

@ Kwang - Not sure what you are talking about, could you be more specific which Nikon lens? I think your comparison is some way off the mark and you are using some specific pricing and models that are just to make you argument 'sound' stronger. The 75-300mm is an old piece of junk to be sure which is reflected in the prices they actually sell for. Just because you saw it on eBay for $400 isn't reflective of anything. Just because you managed to snag a bargain on an excellent Nikon lens (whatever it may be) is indicative of anything either.

"Featured on previous models, Auto Portrait Framing has now evolved into even more versatile Auto Object Framing – helping you get better-looking, more professional results without EFFORT."

If I wanted to be a photograph, instead of changing EFFORTLESSLY my look, I' would learn photography !! That's why some people have got no special pleasure when they use a DSLR! Finally, many recent DSLRs are just boring...

6 years ago Pentax managed to make a small compact DSLR with a large optical pentaprism viewfinder sporting a 0.95 x magnification.

Neither they nor anyone else has ever managed to repeat that feat.

Why I ask?

For I will never understand the mindset of a company like Sony that makes a 'DSLR' camera and then sticks an electronic viewfinder in it.

The whole USP of a DSLR is meant to be its viewfinder, an optical viewfinder, and the larger the better. If you can stick all that in an compact body like Pentax managed back in 2005/6, so much the better.

Alas we appear to be regressing. I dare say this Sony has a great sensor, but I won't haul a DSLR around all day unless I also get the reward of an decent sized optical viewfinder (which rules out the Nikon D3200 and D5200), and even then I won't go above a body 550g.

I've moved on. You should try to as well. I learned film on a Nikon FM2. I shot digital with Canon 5D and then 5D2.I now shoot with Sony because I prefer the EVF. And I would take the latest EVF over any optical VF every time. It took a while to adjust, but once you tune into the idea of seeing how the image will look before you take the shot ( which a good EVF allows ) then I found I didnt want to go back to OVF again.

No more chimping at the screen after the event. No more peering through a tunnel. Look with your eyes, lift the camera for a second, see instantly if it looks right, then shoot.

The EVF took some time to get used to---but I agree with you that I like it much better than optical viewfinders. A few situations has left me wishing for an optical viewfinder---but 99% of the time, I like it better!

Very interesting comments. Having had a 230K dot EVF currently, and hate it, I was going to leave the Sony SLTs until resolution got higher. 800x600 isn't particularly high. Even the higher spec alphas are only 1024x768 (2.44M dots). Is it enough? You guys seem to think so.To the EVF naysayers.. I expect you were with the majority who thought digital would never replace film. Photographers are a funny bunch!

So, plastic lens mount (which would make mounting my 70-200 1:2.8 even worse) and a 460k LCD with nothing else as a particular draw unless that sensor turns out to be particularly great... Well, seems like I made the right choice to get a bargain end-of-line a55 a year ago instead of either buying an a57/65 or waiting. I really don't see how the 24mp sensor in the 65/77 is supposed to be an improvement, although I do love the EVF on those cameras (particularly since Sony wasted 1/3 of the SVGA LCD EVF on the older SLTs - it was a bit of a surprise the first time I picked up an a37 to see it all used.) I just need to get the EVF and LAEA2 for my NEX-5N so I can use my growing collections of A-Mount lenses on that too. Although perhaps I'll switch that for a NEX-6 instead. I love the sensor, but I'd love a proper hot shoe.

It is plastic according to the ephotozine:http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sony-alpha-a58-hands-on-first-look-preview-21387?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ephotozine+%28ePHOTOzine%29

"The Sony Alpha A58 has a plastic front lens mount, however, on closer inspection of this camera and the A57, the next ring in is also plastic, followed by a silver metal ring on both."I think it is the third ring (which is still metal) which bears the weight of the lens when the lens is mounted, but the first one (which is now plastic) is getting worn down by changing lenses. So the camera is still fine for those who don't change lenses often. Although the question is how the third metal ring is mounted - to the plastic body? Then the screws holding it will eventually loosen up, even without many lens changes.

Why? I can't say that the black composite lens mount should really bother anyone. I cannot imagine people are going to be changing lenses dozens of times with their A58 in the sands and dust of Afghanistan under enemy fire. I'm sure it will hold up fine.

I'm most interested in the "newly designed" 20mp sensor. Sony went from the excellent 16mp sensor to the 24mp sensor and now the 20mp shows up. It could possibly outperform the 16mp sensor in noise levels with the addition of a bit more resolution. It may show up in Nikon, Pentax and Nex cameras.

With less resolution than the 24 mp Toshiba sensor in the D5200, and at the most equivalent performance for noise, color depth and DR, I'm not sure how exactly it's going to "show up" the Nikon cameras. Besides that sensor performance is only one aspect of what makes a camera great.

I imagine that 20mp would be better fps rate than 24mp if put in Nikon, and with larger size pixel sensor sites, should it not be a bit better for noise than 24mp for low iso. The Nikon D4 at 16mp (also the D600) is better at low iso noise performance than D800 for example. Maybe a choice for D400 or D7100 if Sony's new sensor actually has better low noise at low iso or a new Nikon mirrorless in aps-c in the future. Add a bit smaller file size than 24mp for faster workflow on editing numerous photos with the more than sufficient resolution of 20mp.

This brand new 'Toshiba' sensor only just beats the 3 year old 16MP Sony as used in the A55/A35/A37/A57 NEX-5N/NEX-6/NEX-5R K-5/K-01/K-30/K-5II/K-5IIs D7000/D5100 and GXR. I would say this new sensor has a pretty good chance of beating it considering the development time they have had.

BTW, I'm a Nikon user that think the new 20MP sensor could be the best yet APS-C sensor. Problem will be if Sony cripples it with 12bit ADC. That and the 1/2 stop SLT loss will make the A58's performance likely not at same level of the 16MP with no pellicle and 14bit ADC.

" - LCD screen has been shrinked to increase battery life- There had to be a significant difference between entry level and high-end APS-C models (she’s referring to A58 and A78).- Amount of plastics used in A58 is more than A57 to decrease production costs and make the camera lighter- There won’t be a battery grip option for A58- There won’t be a tethering option for A58- The same BIONZ processor and the same buffer memory in A57 had been used in A58 and this cpu cannot handle 20 megapixel images on 8fps burst mode, therefore it is decreased to 5fps to allow ~3 seconds of burst shots on full resolution- AF tracking is improved compared to A57 but this is just a firmware trick which could be implemented on A57 too! But this won’t happen to distinguish A58 from A57. "

If true this confirms what most people have suspected. The A58 is really an upgraded A37 and the A57 was too good and was leaching sales from the A65

I love my A57 and am glad I got it last year before this came out. Sadly, this is one of the many reasons Sony is in the red financially year over year. There is truly nothing inspiring about the new a58 that makes me wish I had waited.

The old system it useless on a Tripod, A77 mechanism is better obviously, but I would much rather this than the A55/33/57/65 system.

I cannot think of a time where I have wanted to use it on it's side, still can't. The only minor advantage is being able to cover the screen for transport - If this worries you, get a screen protector!

Oh and maybe for selfies when not using a tripod... Not the sort of camera to use for selfies if you ask me.

I've never understood the sideways folding screen.I want to shoot from the chest. So I must fold out the screen 180 degrees left, then 90degrees upwards. What a pain!Top hinged, I simply tilt upwards 90 degrees.My other use-case is shooting overhead, so top AND bottom hinged would be ideal.Flipping out to the side? Slow, cumbersome, and not discreet.

They should name it A44. A5X cameras were excellently balanced between price and quality and now everything's messed up.they shouldn't downgrade screen or video fps if they want to compete with d5200. I won't be surprised even if they decreased buffer size.I think everything should be solid and good quality in A5X series like is in my a57. now You buy a58 and you get world's greatest evf but you're distracted buy very cheap feeling of worst screen ever.

So... you are 22yo, judging from a nickname? Well... that clearly can be seen from the attitude.

You already know how it feels and you already check that it's the worst screen ever? (FYI: It's not, it's actually better than a 3-series LCDs) You even know that it's the world's greatest EVF? Dude, even Moses wasn't that good.

Plastek:I've seen a37 LCD and I've seen A77 OVF. and if you don't know sony enough and if you think that they would realease another alike LDC or EVF then you should't talk about my age or experience :)))

The thing is, since this will replace both the A37 and A57, I don't think it's meant to compete with the D5200, but rather with the D3200. I guess Sony will be positioning the A65 successor as a D5200 competitor.

shady1991 - You STILL don't get that this IS NOT the screen from the A37. It has TWICE the resolution of the A37 and is a common resolution on digital cameras. There are more properties to a screen than resolution as well, this may be a FAR better screen for outdoor viewing for example.

But I forget, you're an expert who has used the A37 so you know ALL ABOUT the A58...

I just made a further discovery: I compared the specs, and it seems that the A 58 is even lighter than the A 55. Now, I find this wonderful. I enjoy the low weight of the A 55, and I was afraid that Sony's tendency goes towards more and more weight. Let's hope the specs are true in this point.

Thank you abortabort for correcting me about the A 37 display. I am a follower of the theory that sufficient is sufficient - and while the display of the A 37 is not sufficient, the new one on the A 58 with 460000 dots might be!

No worries. Apologies if I was a little harsh, have read A LOT of whinging about the display on the A58. To put a little perspective on things, the resolution is the same as the original iPhone and 3G/3GS, but the screen is smaller so higher density. While not an extraordinary screen, it was certainly ok. It was also very good outdoors, which is something I am far more concerned about than resolution.

The screen is fine, the one in the A37 was a bit of a shame.

If people are overly concerned about the screen, could always look into the CLM-V55 as an option, which should be far better than any built in LCD and with the money saved on the A58 it would go a good ways to paying for one of those.

Hmmm, no return of GPS (A 55!) yet?And a 460000 dot screen? I have both the A 55 and the A 37 and I tell you: You see the quality difference between 460000 and 920000.If the new sensor and AF are indeed considerably better, it might nevertheless be a good move to buy the new A 58, maybe with some external GPS device?

And I should note too that on your A55 with it's 16:9 display you only really use about 2/3 the resolution anyway and size wise is closer to a 2.6" screen. So seems to me you just like to whinge.

On the other hand your A55 also only used a portion of the field sequential EVF of the same res - so the new EVF will be a revelation in comparison. But I'm sure your whinging about the screen will deter you from actually seeing the benefits of this newer model.

I can see what Sony is doing, replacing both the A37 and the A57 but in doing so I think they have messed up. This does not look as good a camera as the A57 in many respects and it is bulkier than the A37. I fear this will be another 'A35" A here today gone tomorrow temporary bodge up to fix a perceived gap in the SLT camera range. I can only hope the new sensor is a cracker - it needs to be!

The A35 came about because of the discontinuation of the 14MP sensor used in the A33. So they had to remove more things from the camera to differentiate the A35 from the still current A55.

I doubt this is along the same lines. They are introducing system wide changes (new hot shoe) as well as being the first model with a brand new sensor. I think the A37 sold poorly as more people who want 'smaller' bodies move to NEX. This A58 is cheaper than the A57 and it's more important features have been improved, while adopting some of the cost cutting features of the A37. Personally I prefer to have a better EVF than a better LCD. I prefer the flexibility of the new shoe and the potentially better sensor. Any other changes make little to no real difference me.

Sonyshine - you get better camera for a lower price and YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LOOKS?! What the heck man!

Get a life, or something, cause that's as bad as it gets. And I have no idea who are those people liking your post, but seriously... it sounds like if you'd be given a Zeiss and complained that it didn't come with a box. *facepalm*

I have the a33 and I thought the quick upgrade a35 was warranted given the heating issues that the a33 and a55 had. They made such a big deal about being the first to have continuous autofocus but video was largely unusable due to it. I eventually just grew accustomed to short clips and always turning off my camera to save battery and stop overheating. From what I have read the a35 was able to fix both of those issues.

Ugh. Full Frame (and larger sensors generally) have a much slower read out than smaller sensors. This is the reason for it and nothing else. Has nothing to do with the 7 year old A100 (Sony's first DSLR after taking over Minolta), nor a replacement to the A99.

Besides the A99's fps are true fully functioning burst with full time AF. The 12 and 10 fps modes on the A77 and A55 etc are locked exposure, locked focus and no live view. Maybe Sony stopped bothering with these ridiculously crippled 'turbo' modes with their latest models because they are pointless other than to say they can?

@RandyPDSONY could easily add 5mm width and 10mm length to the grip and turn the battery perpendicularto the camera body (like a Nikon) and solve the grip and small battery problem. Not that many complaints about Nikon grips.

@abortabortI meant to say A1X or whatever D4/1DX type camera SONY is planning and not A100. I understand about the slow read out speed but that doesn't appears to be a big issue for D4/1DX. Those have less resolution but with the technology SONY packed into A99 you'd think at least 8 or 9 fps would be doable instead of the pedestrian 6 fps.

DPReview, will you fix the spec table which was copying NEX-3N? Some numbers just didn't look right... 2.7" 460K back LCD seems like a joke. And it doesn't look like it is fully articulated. Could you please also grab some information about the EVF resolution? Thank you.

They use it all the time. Table from article about the lenses is garbage. And you recall article about A99? People argued for 3 pages about specifications until someone spotted that they COPY&PASTED almost a whole table directly from A900 without changing it. RIDICULOUS.

Not that long ago PC screens run in a 800x600 resolution and noone complained. Now a tiny LCD runs in the same resolution (an LCD that you don't really use anyway unless you are a fan of zombie-shooting and chimping) and everyone complain....

"An anonymous Sony A58 tester just sent me an info that the new Sony sensor powering the upcoming A58 has indeed an improved dynamic range. He said he never was able to see so many details in the shadows. "

Don't look at SAR garbage. They always hype Sony sensors beyond the reason, and than people are disappointed that it's "only 2/3 EV better" or "ISO goes ONLY up to 16000". This sensor isn't 1EV better than the previous one. Get over it. Wait for tests, see what's the actual improvement and don't be disappointed.